Why Cubs’ Keegan Thompson made his 2023 spring-training debut a week after the opener

Cubs’ Keegan Thompson threw a perfect inning in his 2023 spring training debut Saturday at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. (John Antonoff / for the Sun-Times)

MESA, Ariz. — Right-hander Keegan Thompson was notably absent from the Cubs’ first week of spring-training games. But that was by design, according to pitching coach Tommy Hottovy.

Thompson made his spring debut in the Cubs’ 2-0 victory Saturday against the Angels. He pitched one inning and retired all three batters he faced.